calliecritturs
Posted : 3/19/2008 12:50:06 PM
micksmom
rwbeagles
micksmom
If they opt to eat with Mom & Dad, the servers are all in training to be clowns, etc, and are very entertaining. Oh, and they run buses to and from Disney every day
what were the rates? you can PM if you prefer...
If it's close to the same I'd rather be on property still, I think. I read in the guide that the buses from off property places can be subject to traffic related delays...did you notice any of that?
I can't remember how much it was, just that it was cheaper than staying in Disney. I just realized how long ago that trip was- 1995! 
Wowza, that was awhile ago. LOL As for traffic, it wasn't bad. I think it took about 10 minutes to get to the Disney gates. We could actually see the Hard Rock Cafe from the hotel, that's how close we were. I can't remember if they ran more then one bus (time wise) because we always left first thing in the morning. But I'd imagine,if there were a later bus, it would get caught in traffic.
Given that I LIVE here *sigh* -- traffic has increased down there in the past 10 years. It COMPLETELY hinges on how far away something is. Shoot -- you can SEE I-4 from Universals parking garage but by the time you do all the one way streets it can take you 15 minutes to get TO Interstate 4.
If Disney is all you're gonna do -- if you are going to pass on Universal and Sea World/Busch, etc. ... then stay ON Disney property. They have monorail transport and constant shuttles and boats back and forth all the time. You can go to WDW for the day and stop and take a nap and then do Epcot for dinner & fireworks.
My folks have even done the tourist thing and stayed ON Disney property and truly figured it well worth it. Just because - particularly when you have kids -- EVERYONE gets sooo incredibly tired that being able to sit and *relax* and not worry if you're gonna miss something because of traffic or will the bus actually COME. You just throw it in a heap on the boat or monorail and chill til you get where you're going. They've got 'easy in' sections (like the International Gateway which no one BUT guests are allowed to use anymore) that bypasses all the huge lines, etc. getting in.
In the wake of 9/11 ALL the parks have inspections of all bags,purses, etc. coming into the parks -- it takes time. If you've rented a stroller at one you get a pass to just 'pick one up' elsewhere with no big hassle. if you buy stuff they'll take it TO your room for you so you don't have to carry it.
Dime for dime I can't argue which is 'cheaper' -- BUT we're at those parks a lot and I see the people who are jus SO tired and no one is enjoying NOTHING because the kids are too tired but Mom wants to SEE IT ALL before they leave. And then I see the people sailing in late afternoon because they've come from a resort on property and everyone's happier because the hassle's less. So I think it kinda comes down to how much more you may *enjoy* things if you can afford TO stay on property.
Does that make sense?
If you're going to do Disney AND Universal -- you'll still see transports going between (they ARE realistic -- they realize people want to do it all)
But I've seen enough broken down busses and David and I always say "whoo, I bet THOSE folks aren't happy!" If it's Disney or Universal owned property trust me -- they're going to have another transport there PRONTO. But just busses from ABC Hotel? Probably not so much. Maybe ... but ... it could be iffy.
And ... while I'm talkin here -- BEWARE of so called freebie tickets. Some of these 'resorts' OFF property are timeshares in disguise. And they'll give you 'free' Disney or universal tickets but you have to sit thru a four hour presentation and major selling pressure to buy their timeshare.
A timeshare can be a good thing for some people (my husband works in that industry but we do NOT have one) -- but you see signs all the time for 'free' or 'discount' tickets but people are actually paying dearly by giving up their vacation time to "see" a presentation that may take up the better part of a whole day.